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Kenya gave Cameroon a hard time despite their 1-0 defeat at home during theur U17 FIFA Women's World Cup qualifiers, but Dule disagrees with the notion they are the toughest team they have ever faced.
Cameroon U17 midfielder Karen Dule has poured cold water on suggestions that Kenya’s Junior Starlets are the toughest opposition her team has encountered so far, despite being pushed to the limit in their hard-fought 1-0 win in the first leg of the third round FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Sunday.
The visitors grabbed the solitary goal of the match in the 27th minute when Tiwa Melong capitalized on a poorly cleared corner by the Kenyan defence.
But from then on, it was the hosts who looked the more dangerous side, especially in the second half where they twice struck the crossbar and forced Cameroonian goalkeeper Jessica Mabou into a series of outstanding saves.
Kenya, led by head coach Mildred Cheche, dominated possession after the break and piled pressure on the two-time African U16 champions, who have also featured at two FIFA U17 World Cups. Cameroon, however, used their superior game management and experience to run down the clock and secure a narrow away win.
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Despite Kenya's spirited second-half performance, Dule was adamant that they were not the most formidable opponents Cameroon has encountered.
“I wouldn’t say Kenya is the most difficult team we’ve ever faced in our careers, but I also wouldn’t say they’re an easy team,” Dule remarked. “We’ve played more difficult teams during our match preparations, so I can’t agree entirely with that opinion.”
Meanwhile, Cameroon head coach Joseph Ndoko admitted that Kenya were unlucky not to get a result, and credited the team and its supporters for putting up a strong fight in front of a passionate home crowd.
“I am in awe of the incredible turnout from Kenyan supporters,” Ndoko said. “I have never seen such massive support for the youth categories. It was a tough game, clearly, and the difference came down to the finer details. As much as Cameroon won, Kenya could just as easily have taken the game."
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Kenya created chances particularly at the begining of the second half, but Cameroon's time wasting tactics in this period prevented the game from finding any sort of rythm.
Ndoko acknowledged his side struggled at times in the second half, pointing to physical challenges and tactical lapses that Kenya nearly exploited.
"To be honest, Cameroon struggled a bit—perhaps due to certain overlooked details. However, physical contact was very much present in the game. There were fouls that should have been addressed appropriately."
When asked about what tactical adjustments he plans to make for the return leg, the Cameroonian tactician remained tight-lipped.
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"Looking ahead, I can’t say for sure what changes will be made in the second leg. A lot of factors will come into play, and when the time comes, we will all see what tactical decisions are taken."
The two sides will meet again on Friday in Yaoundé for the decisive second leg. The aggregate winner will secure one of Africa’s four coveted slots at the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup set to take place in Morocco this October.
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